Tag Archives: A Celebration of Harry Potter

New Experiences and Panels Announced for A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018

(Photo: Universal Orlando Resort Blog)

Hold on to your Hippogriff because we have more details to announce for Harry Potter fans’ favorite event, A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018.

I’m so excited to share with you that Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) is joining the Harry Potter film stars line up for next year’s event!

There will also be new content and returning fan favorites for witches, wizards and Muggles to enjoy at the Harry Potter Expo. You’ll be able to step into J. K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with:

NEW: “Wizarding Costumes from Harry Potter: The Exhibition” – You’ll be able see some of the most stunning costumes from the Harry Potter series and walk the runway to pose for a one-of-a-kind keepsake photo.
“The Sorting Hat Experience” – If you don’t know your Hogwarts house, you’ll have the chance to find out if you’re a Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Slytherin at “The Sorting Hat Experience.”

(Photo: Universal Orlando Resort Blog)

Pottermore – Start practicing your Harry Potter trivia because Audible Recall is back with updated questions. And, you can even play against your fellow housemates with house-specific rounds each day of the event. #HogwartsRules
Scholastic – Scholastic is celebrating 20 years since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first published. You can write your favorite Harry Potter memory on the Muggle Wall, step into a life-sized recreation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneand enter to win one-of-a-kind Harry Potter prizes.

(Photo: Universal Orlando Resort Blog)

MinaLima – Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima are back this year to share their graphic designs of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and so much more.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – “The Making of Harry Potter” is back to give you the opportunity to see first-hand some of the incredible effects that were used in the Harry Potter film series.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – As the play gets ready to open on Broadway, you’ll get an exclusive, never-seen-before look at the costumes, designs and imagery from the production.

Get ready for three brand-new panels you won’t want to miss:

Discover Behind-the-Scenes Secrets with Award Winning Special Effects Supervisor, John Richardson – The magic comes alive as John Richardson – Special Effects Supervisor on all eight Harry Potter films – shares with you how flying broomsticks, floating candles, wand explosions, fire-breathing dragons, and more were created on the Harry Potter film set.
“Graphic Design for Film: Creating the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes” – Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina of MinaLima are here to chat about what went into bringing Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes to life.
“The Magic of Costumes in Harry Potter” – Join Jany Temime, award-winning costume designer behind the last six films, and Eddie Newquist, exhibition curator, to talk about the amazing costumes in the Harry Potter films.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your house robes and wands, and book your vacation package today for A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, Universal Studios Travel Agency of the Year 2010, 2011, & 2012. She would love to help you plan your next Universal Orlando vacation at no cost to you. Contact Siera today at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or at 734-771-1290 for more information or your free, no obligation quote.

Catch Warwick Davis at Universal Orlando’s Celebration of Harry Potter in 2017

I am thrilled to announce that – for the first time in A Celebration of Harry Potter history – Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick and Griphook) will be attending the event alongside returning film talent Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom). And, this is just the first Harry Potter film talent to be announced – more will be announced soon!

You’ll be able to hear from all the Harry Potter talent during their Q&A panel. Plus, for the Premium Vacation Package guests, the film talent will be doing a private autograph signing. (Packages are selling out so get your package now by clicking here.)

If you’ve been to A Celebration of Harry Potter in the past, then you know you can’t miss the Harry Potter Expo. This year, the expo has more than doubled in size. Check out who’s coming to this year’s event:

MinaLima: Graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima recently finished production on the new feature film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter: Fans will relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter film series to life.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition: Are you a Gryffindor or a Slytherin? A Hufflepuff or perhaps a Ravenclaw? Find out at this experience.
Scholastic: Celebrate Harry Potter at Scholastic’s booth by signing the “Muggle Wall” and testing your knowledge of the Harry Potter books at the Trivia Challenge. Fans will also be treated to a meet & greet and signing with Mary GrandPré, famed illustrator for the Harry Potter books.
Pottermore: If you’re eager to discover more about J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Pottermore has a surprise in store for fans attending this year’s celebration.
Audible: Bringing fans Audible Recall – the ultimate audio challenge that decides who knows the wizarding world inside-out and who has a bad case of the wrackspurts.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Get a glimpse into the world of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and see images from the award-winning West End production.
Google Daydream VR Experience – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them:With Daydream View, Google’s newly launched virtual reality headset, you can experience the magic of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in VR. Wave a wand (via a Daydream controller) to solve puzzles and meet a few of the beasts in Newt’s case.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment: A magical adventure awaits in the LEGO Dimensions experience, where you’ll be able to explore the Wizarding World and be the first to play as Hermione Granger! Guests will also be given the opportunity to participate in special giveaways and contests.

In addition, we have some exciting new panels and demonstrations that will give fans a look into how the magic was brought to life on screen:

Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter Film Talent Discussion: Want to know what it was like on the set of the Harry Potter films? Now is your chance to find out.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Creating Creatures for the Harry Potter Films with Nick Dudman and Warwick Davis: This panel is a discussion with award-winning special make-up effects artist Nick Dudman and Harry Potter film talent Warwick Davis about the incredible skill that went into producing iconic creatures such as Aragog, Buckbeak and the Gringotts Goblins, plus see some authentic models from the Harry Potter film series.

Learn Wand Combat Skills with Paul Harris: Expelliarmus! Learn how to duel in this interactive panel with the world’s only Wand Combat Chorographer, Paul Harris.
*Kids panel will also be offered for guests ages 12 and under

Stories from Harry Potter: The Exhibition: The Exhibition has the unique privilege of bringing a selection of some of the best known authentic props used to create the entire film series to fans in cities close to home. Each and every real element on display within the exhibition has a story. Eddie Newquist, creator of the exhibition, will be joined by Pierre Bohanna, head prop-maker from the films to tell stories of how these props and costumes were selected for the exhibition and about their histories.

MinaLima: Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima of MinaLima will share how their paths crossed at the WB film studios in London while working for 10 years on the Harry Potter movies, and more recently on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. They will show some of the iconic props they created, such as The Marauder’s Map, the Daily Prophet , The New York Ghost, MACUSA Wand Permit and more. Additionally, they will talk about their involvement in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Also coming to this year’s event is Harry Potter trivia and a Fan Art Walk where you can contribute your artist skills to a chalk art gallery that will be on display throughout the entire event.

Grab your tickets now and join us at the fourth annual A Celebration of Harry Potter from January 27 to 29, 2017.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, Universal Studios Travel Agency of the Year 2010, 2011, & 2012. She would love to help you plan your next Universal Orlando vacation at no cost to you. Contact Siera today at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or at 734-771-1290 for more information or your free, no obligation quote.

A Celebration of Harry Potter Returns to Universal January 27 – 29, 2017

One of the most magical events at Universal Orlando Resort is returning for a fourth year. Gather around wizards and witches because A Celebration of Harry Potter is happening January 27 – 29, 2017.

This weekend-long experience is full of fantastic events including a film talent Q&A, demonstrations, exhibits and more. And it’s all included in your regular theme park admission or with an Annual Pass.

But, if you want to attend even more activities throughout A Celebration of Harry Potter, make sure to purchase one of the event vacation packages. You’ll enjoy certain special benefits and reserved sections for the panels and demonstrations.

Premium Vacation Package: If you know every line of the Harry Potter books and films, this is for you.

3-night hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels
3-Day Park-to-Park ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Friday)
Evening reception at the Harry Potter Expo (Saturday)
Exclusive autograph and photo session with select film talent
Exclusive talent Q&A session with select film talent
Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio session at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens
Special access to the Harry Potter Expo, panels and demonstrations
Reserved section for select panels and demonstrations
Breakfast at Three Broomsticks in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Breakfast at Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios Florida
Commemorative A Celebration of Harry Potter merchandise item, pin and lanyard
Access to select venues at Universal CityWalk

Celebration Vacation Package: Celebrate like a VIP with this package.

3-night hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels
3-Day Park-to-Park ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Exclusive talent Q&A session with select film talent
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens
Special access to the Harry Potter Expo, panels and demonstrations
Breakfast at Three Broomsticks in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Commemorative A Celebration of Harry Potter merchandise item, pin and lanyard
Access to select venues at Universal CityWalk

Annual Passholder Vacation Package: If you hold the gold ticket that is an Annual Pass to Universal Orlando then this is the package for you.

3-night hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Exclusive talent Q&A session with select film talent
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens
Special access to the Harry Potter Expo, panels and demonstrations
Breakfast at Three Broomsticks in Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Commemorative A Celebration of Harry Potter merchandise item, pin and lanyard
Access to select venues at Universal CityWalk

Wands at the ready because it will be here before you know it!

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, Universal Studios Agency of the Year 2010, 2011, & 2012. She would love to help you plan your next Universal Orlando vacation at no cost to you. Contact Siera today at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or at 734-771-1290 for more information or your free, no obligation quote.